Houseboat hull

ABSTRACT

A houseboat hull having a reverse cathedral configuration and comprising a pair of spaced, substantially similar V-shaped outer bottom surface members and a central V-shaped bottom surface member between the outer bottom surface members in which the draft of the central V-shaped bottom surface member is less than the draft of the outer V-shaped bottom surface members.

United States Patent Klingler et al.

HOUSEBOAT HULL Inventors: Richard E. Klingler, 1609 Spring Brook Dr.,Eklhart, Ind. 46514; Jeffrey A. Roberts, 55135 Belair, Osceola, Ind.46561 Filed: Dec. 12, 1973 App]. No.: 423,933

US. Cl. 1l4/66.5 R, 114/56 Int. Cl B63b l/l8 Field of Search 114/56,66.5 R, 66.5 S,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1919 Lebby 1l4/66.5 R

[ Mar. 11, 1975 3,067,711 12/1962 Hesher 6161. ll4/66.5 5 3,191,5726/1965 Wilson 114/61 3,600,733 3/1971 Lippisch 114/66.5 R 3,763,81010/1973 Payne 114/66.5 R

Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner-Stuart M. Goldstein[57] ABSTRACT A houseboat hull having a reverse cathedral configu rationand comprising a pair of spaced, substantially similar V-shaped outerbottom surface members and a central V-shaped bottom surface memberbetween the outer bottom surface members in which the draft of thecentral V-shaped bottom surface member is less than the draft of theouter V-shaped bottom surface members.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 HOUSEBOAT HULL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a hull design for a houseboat. I

It is an object of this invention to provide a houseboat hull having arelatively shallow draft, good performance characteristics over a widevariety of wave conditions, and minimized yaw, roll and pitch.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hull having excellentspray control.

A still another object is to provide a houseboat hull having a favorabledrag/lift ratio and capable planing at reasonable speeds.

Still other objects will readily present themselves to one skilled inthe art upon reference to the ensuing specification, the drawings andthe claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a hullhaving a reverse cathedral configuration and comprising a pair ofspaced, substantially similar V-shaped outer bottom surfaces whichextend substantially the full length of the hull and a V-shaped centralbottom surface between the aforesaid bottom surfaces and joined theretoalong the innermost edges of the outer bottom surfaces. The V-shapedcentral bottom surface has a draft which is more shallow than the draftof the outer bottom surfaces.

- A generally V-shaped outer prow portion is joined to each of the outerbottom surfaces and projects upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceedingabout 150 relative to hull waterline. A generally V-shaped central prowportion is joined to the central bottom surface and projects upwardly atan obtuse angle not exceeding about 155 relative to hull waterline butgreater than the angle of the outer prow portions. The prow portions areinterconnected along adjacent edges thereof.

Generally flat side portions extend longitudinally along and are joinedto the outer edge of each of the outer bottom surfaces and thecorresponding prow portion. A generally flat stern portion is joined totrailing edges of the bottom surfaces and the side portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a hull embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a 'hull embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 33 in FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a hull embodying the present invention andshowing the framing thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, hullcomprises generally flat side portion 11 which extends longitudinally onthe port side of hull 10 along outer edge 12 of outer bottom surfacemember 13 and is rigidly interconnected therewith. Generally flat sternportion 15 is likewise joined to side portion 11 and the trailing edgeof outer bottom surface member 13, as well as to the trailing edges ofthe other bottom surfaces and starboard side portion 24.

Outer prow portion 14 projects upwardly at obtuse angle alpha notexceeding about 150 relative to hull waterline, and generally V-shapedcentral prow portion 16 projects upwardly at obtuse angle beta notexceeding about 155 degrees relative to hull waterline. Angle betaisalways greater than angle alpha.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, outer bottom surface members 13 and 17 aregenerally V-shaped and are rigidly joined to V-shaped central bottomsurface members 18 along innermost edges 19 and 20, respectively. Theouter bottom surface members 13 and 17 and the central bottom surfacemember 18 are of uniform cross sectional area throughout theirrespective lengths. Included angle gamma of outer bottom surface members13 and 17 preferably ranges from about 135 to about 145 and morepreferably is about 140. Included angle delta of central bottom surfacemember 18 preferably ranges from about 160 to about 170 and morepreferably is about 165. A flattened aft portion such as por' tion 41can be provided on outer bottom surface members 13 and 17 to providesupport for rudder shafts and propulsion shafts, if desired.

Outer prow portion 21 has substantially the same configuration as outerprow portion 14 and isjoined to bottom surface member 17 in the samemanner as outer prow portion 14 is joined to bottom surface member 13.Outer prow portions 14 and 21 are rigidly interconnected alongrespective adjacent edges 22 and 23 to central prow portion 16. Outerprow portion 21 is also joined along line 40 to generally flat sideportion 24 which extends longitudinally along the starboard side of hull10. Similarly, outer prow portion 14 is joined along line 39 togenerally flat side .portion 11.

Skin 25 for the hull preferably is marine aluminum attached to tubularframing 26 which is doublewelded and interlocked with aluminum stringers27 in accordance with shipbuilding techniques. Transverse frame membersor beams 28 and 29 are connected to stanchions 30, 31 and 32 and lendfurther rigidity to the hull. If desired, flotation such as fireresistant polyurethane foam can be provided in the bilge up to the levelof transverse member 29. Outline 33 in FIG. 3 designates a typical cabinsilhouette.

Typical overall framing plan is shown in FIG. 4. lfdesired, bolt-onwalkway 34 can be provided around the periphery of hull 10. Bow hullline is indicated by interrupted line 35, and prow points at about thedeck are designated by 36, 37 and 38. The included angle of outer prowportions 14 and 21 as well as central prow portion 16 can be about 90 toabout 100 at the normal hull waterline and decreases to about to at thedeck line. In this manner, the impact of oncoming waves is minimized andcushioned, and the water normally encountered by the prow readilydispersed. Moreover, the unique reverse cathedral configuration providesample hull displacement at a relatively shallow draftand minimizes thewetted surface at planing speeds when the generally V-shaped centralbottom surface is substantially out of the water.

The foregoing description and the drawings are intended to beillustrative and are not to be taken as limiting. Other variations andrearrangements of parts are possible without departing from the spiritand scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. A planing houseboat hull having a reverse cathedral configuration andcomprising a pair of spaced, substantially similar, generally V- shapedouter bottom surface members extending substantially for the full lengthof the hull each of which has a generally V-shaped prow portion joinedthereto projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle, said outer bottomsurface .members being of substantially uniform cross sectional areathroughout their respective lengths and having a first predeterminedincluded angle;

a generally V-shaped central bottom surface memberextendingsubstantially the full length of said hull I situated betweenand joined to said outer bottom surface members and being ofsubstantially uniform 'crosssectional area throughout its length, saidcentral bottom surface member having a second predetermined includedangle which is greater than said first included angle, and havingappreciably less draft than said outer bottom surface members;

a generally V-shaped central prow portion joined to said central bottomsurface member and said outer prow portions, and projecting upwardly atan obtuse angle not exceeding about 155 relative to the hullwaterline-but at an angle which is greater than the angle of saidupwardly projecting outer prow portions;

whereby said wetted surface below planning speed comprises said outerbottom surface members and said central bottom surface and at planingspeeds the hull wetted surface consists essentially of said outer bottomsurface members.

2. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein said V-shaped centralbottom surface member has an included angle of about 160 to about 170,and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom surface members each have anincluded angle of about 145.

3. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein said V-shapedcentralbottom surface member has an included angle of about 165 andwherein said V-shaped outer bottom surface members each have an includedangle of about 140.

4. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein the included angle ofsaid prow portions is about 90 to about 100 at hull waterline and isabout 75 to about 85 at deck.

5.-ln'a houseboat, a hull having;

a pair of spaced, substantially V-shaped outer bottom members being ofsubstantially uniform cross sectional area throughout their respectivelengths and having a first predetermined included angle;

a V-shaped central bottom member between and i joined to said outerbottom members and being of substantially uniform-cross sectional areathroughout its length, said central bottom member having a secondpredetermined included angle which is greater than said firstpredetermined angle, and

having appreciably less draft than said outer bot tom members;

generally V-shaped outer prow portion rigidly joined to each of saidouter bottom members and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle notexceeding about 150 relative to the hull waterline;

a generally V-shaped central prow portion rigidly joined to said centralbottom member and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceedingabout 155 relative to the hull waterline and at an angle which isgreater than the angle-of said outer prow portions;-

a generally flat side portion joined to and extending longitudinallyalong the outer edge of each of said outer bottom members and theircorresponding prow portions;

generally flat stern portion rigidly joined to trailing edges of saidbottom members and said side portions; and a said outer prow portionsand said central prow portion being rigidly interconnected alongadjacent edges thereof.

6. The hull in accordance with claim 5 wherein said \/-shaped centralbottom member has an included angle of from about 160 to about 170 andwherein said V-shaped outer bottom members each have an included angleof about to about 7. The hull in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidV-shaped central bottom member has an included angle of about 165 andwherein said V-shaped outer bottom members each have an included angleof about 140.

8. The hull in accordance with claim 6 wherein a generally V-shapedouterprow portion is joined to each of said outer bottom members andwhich projects upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about relativeto the hull waterline and wherein a generally V- shaped central prowportion is joined to said central bottom member and projects upwardly atan obtuse angle not exceeding about relative to hull waterline but at anangle greater than the angle of said outer prow portions; said outerprow portions being joined to said central prow portion.

9. The hull in accordance with claim 8 wherein the included angle ofsaid prow portions is from about 90 to about 100 at hull waterline andis about 75 to about 85 at deck line.

1. A planing houseboat hull having a reverse cathedral configuration andcomprising a pair of spaced, substantially similar, generally V-shapedouter bottom surface members extending substantially for the full lengthof the hull each of which has a generally V-shaped prow portion joinedthereto projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle, said outer bottomsurface members being of substantially uniform cross sectional areathroughout their respective lengths and having a first predeterminedincluded angle; a generally V-shaped central bottom surface memberextending substantially the full length of said hull situated betweenand joined to said outer bottom surface members aNd being ofsubstantially uniform cross sectional area throughout its length, saidcentral bottom surface member having a second predetermined includedangle which is greater than said first included angle, and havingappreciably less draft than said outer bottom surface members; agenerally V-shaped central prow portion joined to said central bottomsurface member and said outer prow portions, and projecting upwardly atan obtuse angle not exceeding about 155* relative to the hull waterlinebut at an angle which is greater than the angle of said upwardlyprojecting outer prow portions; whereby said wetted surface belowplanning speed comprises said outer bottom surface members and saidcentral bottom surface and at planing speeds the hull wetted surfaceconsists essentially of said outer bottom surface members.
 1. A planinghouseboat hull having a reverse cathedral configuration and comprising apair of spaced, substantially similar, generally V-shaped outer bottomsurface members extending substantially for the full length of the hulleach of which has a generally V-shaped prow portion joined theretoprojecting upwardly at an obtuse angle, said outer bottom surfacemembers being of substantially uniform cross sectional area throughouttheir respective lengths and having a first predetermined includedangle; a generally V-shaped central bottom surface member extendingsubstantially the full length of said hull situated between and joinedto said outer bottom surface members aNd being of substantially uniformcross sectional area throughout its length, said central bottom surfacemember having a second predetermined included angle which is greaterthan said first included angle, and having appreciably less draft thansaid outer bottom surface members; a generally V-shaped central prowportion joined to said central bottom surface member and said outer prowportions, and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about155* relative to the hull waterline but at an angle which is greaterthan the angle of said upwardly projecting outer prow portions; wherebysaid wetted surface below planning speed comprises said outer bottomsurface members and said central bottom surface and at planing speedsthe hull wetted surface consists essentially of said outer bottomsurface members.
 2. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidV-shaped central bottom surface member has an included angle of about160* to about 170*, and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom surfacemembers each have an included angle of about 145*.
 3. The hull inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said V-shaped central bottom surfacemember has an included angle of about 165* and wherein said V-shapedouter bottom surface members each have an included angle of about 140*.4. The hull in accordance with claim 1 wherein the included angle ofsaid prow portions is about 90* to about 100* at hull waterline and isabout 75* to about 85* at deck.
 5. In a houseboat, a hull having; a pairof spaced, substantially V-shaped outer bottom members being ofsubstantially uniform cross sectional area throughout their respectivelengths and having a first predetermined included angle; a V-shapedcentral bottom member between and joined to said outer bottom membersand being of substantially uniform cross sectional area throughout itslength, said central bottom member having a second predeterminedincluded angle which is greater than said first predetermined angle, andhaving appreciably less draft than said outer bottom members; agenerally V-shaped outer prow portion rigidly joined to each of saidouter bottom members and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle notexceeding about 150* relative to the hull waterline; a generallyV-shaped central prow portion rigidly joined to said central bottommember and projecting upwardly at an obtuse angle not exceeding about155* relative to the hull waterline and at an angle which is greaterthan the angle of said outer prow portions; a generally flat sideportion joined to and extending longitudinally along the outer edge ofeach of said outer bottom members and their corresponding prow portions;a generally flat stern portion rigidly joined to trailing edges of saidbottom members and said side portions; and said outer prow portions andsaid central prow portion being rigidly interconnected along adjacentedges thereof.
 6. The hull in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidV-shaped central bottom member has an included angle of from about 160*to about 170* and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom members each havean included angle of about 135* to about 145*.
 7. The hull in accordancewith claim 5 wherein said V-shaped central bottom member has an includedangle of about 165* and wherein said V-shaped outer bottom members eachhave an included angle of about 140*.
 8. The hull in accordance withclaim 6 wherein a generally V-shaped outer prow portion is joined toeach of said outer bottom members and which projects upwardly at anobtuse angle not exceeding about 150* relative to the hull waterline andwherein a generally V-shaped central prow portion is joined to saidcentral bottom member and projects upwardly at an obtuse angle notexceeding about 155* relative to hUll waterline but at an angle greaterthan the angle of said outer prow portions; said outer prow portionsbeing joined to said central prow portion.